Author: Floyd Hawkins

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, a top-selling electric SUV, is gaining traction in the US market with attractive lease incentives, challenging the affordability of traditional gasoline vehicles. With over 34,000 units delivered last year, the Ioniq 5 secured its position as the sixth best-selling EV in the country. Sales momentum for the 2024 model has continued to climb in 2024, following record-breaking performances in March and May. Nearly 15,000 units have been sold in the first five months of the year, highlighting its growing appeal among consumers. See also: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Sets New Pikes Peak Records in Electric Modified and Production…

Ford expects to launch a $30,000 all-electric vehicle that it aims to make profitable within approximately two and a half years, CEO Jim Farley announced during the Aspen Ideas Festival on Friday. Details on the vehicle, being developed by a dedicated Ford “skunkworks” team, were sparse as Farley highlighted anticipated competition from Chinese automakers like BYD and an upcoming entry-level electric car from Tesla. See also: Ford CEO Jim Farley Urges United States to Embrace Electric Vehicles Ford’s strategy prioritizes smaller electric vehicles over larger SUVs and trucks, traditionally lucrative segments for the company fueled by internal combustion engines, which Farley…

LG Energy Solution (LGES) is reorienting its operations at its new $5.5 billion plant in Arizona, pausing construction of its energy storage system (ESS) battery production to concentrate on manufacturing 46-series cylindrical cells. This strategic pivot reflects the heightened demand in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, particularly for Tesla’s groundbreaking 4680 batteries. “We are adjusting the pace of planned investment execution efficiently and flexibly according to market conditions, and focusing on optimizing our operations. Temporarily suspending the construction of the Arizona ESS battery facility is part of such efforts,” commented LGES. LGES aims to commence production of 4680 cells at…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched the ID. Buzz LWB (long wheelbase) in the UK, expanding its electric vehicle offerings with enhanced features tailored for British consumers. Priced starting at £59,545, the ID. Buzz LWB extends its wheelbase to 3,239 mm, accommodating up to seven seats and featuring wider sliding rear doors for improved passenger access. See also: Volkswagen Plans Entry-Level ID. Buzz with Smaller Battery Designed to meet diverse lifestyle needs, the ID. Buzz LWB offers a spacious interior with configurations providing up to 1,340 litres of luggage space in the five-seat layout, expandable to 2,469 litres with the rear seats…

Honda Motor Co. has revealed lease pricing details for its upcoming CR-V e:FCEV, a groundbreaking fuel cell plug-in hybrid that combines electric and hydrogen power, aiming to mitigate infrastructure challenges with dual-energy versatility. Unveiled earlier this year, the CR-V e:FCEV features a 17.7kWh battery providing up to 29 miles of electric range, complemented by a 241-mile hydrogen tank for extended travel, showcasing Honda’s strategy to integrate alternative energy sources into a single vehicle. See also: Honda Starts Production of CR-V e:FCEV, a Fuel Cell Plug-in EV, in Ohio Honda’s lease options for the CR-V e:FCEV include three tiers tailored to various…

New car registrations in the European Union declined by 3% in May 2024 compared to the same month last year, impacted primarily by decreases in major markets like Italy (-6.6%), Germany (-4.3%), and France (-2.9%). Spain, however, saw a modest increase of 3.4%. Despite this monthly decline, the year-to-date figures show a positive trend for the EU car market. Registrations for the first five months of 2024 increased by 4.6% compared to the same period in 2023, totaling 4.6 million units. Spain led this growth with a robust 6.8% rise, followed closely by Germany (+5.2%), France (+4.9%), and Italy (+3.4%).…

Ram, the American truck brand, is gearing up to introduce a new compact electric commercial van tailored for the U.S. market. While not explicitly replacing the ProMaster City, this new model is poised to fill the gap left by its predecessor, according to Chrysler and Ram chief executive Chris Feuell’s remarks at the brand’s recent Investor Day. Speculations suggest that Ram’s new electric van could draw inspiration from Fiat’s European offerings, particularly the Fiat Scudo and E-Scudo models. In Europe, the E-Scudo features battery options including 50 kWh and 75 kWh, offering a range of up to 205 miles (330…

Rivian’s recent partnership with Volkswagen, involving a significant $5 billion investment, has unveiled glimpses of the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer’s future plans, including previously undisclosed vehicle models. In a shareholder letter posted on Rivian’s website, the company outlined its financial strategy following Volkswagen’s investment, aimed at leveraging Rivian’s advanced electrical and electronic architecture expertise. This partnership is seen as crucial for Rivian’s efforts to reduce costs and achieve profitability from its vehicle sales, while also addressing Volkswagen’s software challenges in its EV projects. See also: Volkswagen and Rivian to Form Joint Venture with Potential $5 Billion Investment The letter featured a…

Nissan Motor  is set to produce electric vehicles for its Chinese joint-venture partner Dongfeng Motor at its Wuhan factory by the end of the year, reported the Nikkei newspaper on Tuesday. This move is seen as a strategic response to the challenges facing Nissan’s China business, aiming to reduce fixed costs and boost the factory’s operating rate, which has been affected by declining sales. The joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng already manufactures the Ariya EV and the X-Trail SUV at the Wuhan plant, which has an annual production capacity of 260,000 vehicles. The factory will soon begin production of…

German chemicals giant BASF and French mineral recovery and processing company Eramet have decided to shelve their plans to invest in a nickel-cobalt refinery complex in Indonesia for electric vehicle batteries. BASF announced the discontinuation of all ongoing evaluation and negotiation activities for the Weda Bay project. The companies had been considering a $2.6 billion investment in a nickel-cobalt refinery in Indonesia since the beginning of 2023. The first agreement between BASF and Eramet to jointly determine the potential of such a plant dates back to 2020. See also: BASF and WHW Recycling Collaborate to Boost Sustainability in Battery Cell Production…

The 102nd Pikes Peak International Hill Climb showcased the impressive performance of electric vehicles (EVs), with several setting new records during the weekend’s races. The grueling race, which spans from 9,390 feet to 14,110 feet, saw Romain Dumas driving a modified Ford F-150 Lightning, dubbed a “Supertruck,” to victory with a record-breaking time of 8:53.553. This achievement placed Dumas ahead of the 2024 Wolf Aurobay GB08 2.0 HP, which trailed by approximately 11 seconds. Among the notable EV entries was the Hyundai Ioniq 5N TA spec, driven by Dani Sordo, who secured third place with a time of 9:30:852. Additionally,…

BYD plans to construct an electric vehicle (EV) plant in Mexico are expected to generate around 10,000 jobs, positioning it among the largest auto factories in the country. The EV behemoth is in the final stages of negotiations for the facility’s location, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming months, according to Jorge Vallejo, BYD’s general director in Mexico. Vallejo did not specify the breakdown of direct employees versus contractors or suppliers. See also: BYD Launches Seagull Electric Mini Vehicle in Brazil and Mexico A plant of this scale would employ more individuals than some other carmakers’ facilities in Mexico,…